Inter Miami Score Over Real Salt Lake 2-0 Victory ; Messi Shines with Two Assists.

Inter Miami score a commanding 2-0 triumph over Real Salt Lake as they dominate the scoreboard. The star player, Messi, showcases his brilliance by providing two crucial assists during the match.

Lionel Messi and his pink-clad Inter Miami teammates commenced the 2024 MLS season on Wednesday night, showcasing why they are the primary attraction of the league. They captivated the Chase Stadium crowd with their precise passing, skillful maneuvers to outwit defenders, and displayed a level of play that resembled a team in peak mid-season form.

Their 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake dispelled any concerns fans had about the Inter Miami players starting the season fatigued after a grueling 24,000-mile five-nation preseason tour. Messi appeared fully fit and driven, exhibiting relentless effort throughout the 90 minutes as he skillfully evaded defenders, executed pinpoint passes through tight spaces, and effortlessly changed direction and pace as needed.

He orchestrated the clever pass that set up Robert Taylor’s goal in the 39th minute and played a crucial role in Diego Gomez’s goal in the 83rd minute. Messi, alongside his close friend and former FC Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who made his MLS debut, collaborated to deliver the ball to Gomez for his goal from close range.

Taylor mentioned that last year they discussed how Messi created space on the field, but with both Messi and Suarez on the team now, it creates even more space for Taylor on the wing. The duo’s ability to link up effectively draws defenders towards them, which in turn opens up space for Taylor to exploit at times.

In a standout moment from the match that quickly gained traction on social media, Messi skillfully flicked the ball over the injured Andrew Brody, who was on the ground, then gracefully leaped over him to continue his dribble and attempt a shot. The near-capacity crowd of 21,137, which included notable figures like actor Will Smith and retired NFL star Chad Ochocinco, relished every move made by Messi.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly highlighting Messi’s freedom on the field and his exceptional ball control. Martino emphasized Messi’s unique ability to create goal-scoring opportunities from a distance, leaving spectators with a sense of anticipation for a potential goal.

As the match drew to a close, the passionate “La Familia” supporters in the north stands proudly waved their large flags, beat their drums, and sang the traditional Argentine chant in honor of Messi and his teammates: “Ole, Ole, Ola, Cada Dia Te Queiro Mas” (Ole, Ole, Ola, Every Day I Love You More).

There was a clear indication right from the start that Inter Miami was determined to recapture the form they displayed last summer, when Messi was in exceptional form and Miami seemed invincible as they clinched the Leagues Cup title. However, Messi’s injury later in the season resulted in a decline in the team’s performance, despite his impressive record of 11 goals in 14 matches.

On Wednesday evening, Messi showcased his magic once again alongside his former FC Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, who made his MLS debut. Their on-field chemistry was evident, with moments where they seemed to anticipate each other’s movements perfectly.

Martino emphasized the importance of more training sessions together to reignite the connection between Messi and Suarez, stating, “Since our return from Japan two weeks ago, I have been stressing the need for more practice sessions to help them regain their rhythm. While they are familiar with each other, it takes time for them to reestablish the strong bond they had at Barcelona.”

Gomez, who stood out as the top performer for the Paraguayan national team during the recent pre-Olympic qualifiers, also caught attention with his vibrant pink jersey.

“The chance to play was incredibly significant for me, and I approached it with utmost concentration. Tata has consistently displayed faith in me ever since I joined the team,” Gomez expressed. “We approached tonight’s match with a fresh mindset. I am genuinely delighted to be here, playing alongside such exceptional players, interacting with them, and relishing the experience of being part of this team.”

Martino expressed his belief that Gomez will play a pivotal role throughout the entire season.

Martino provided his analysis of the game, highlighting the team’s strong performance in the first half, particularly in terms of defensive solidity. He believed that they could have added another goal during this period. However, the second half didn’t start well as they lost possession frequently during transitions, unlike the first half where they had control. This allowed the opposing team to regain momentum and they had several opportunities to equalize within the first 25 minutes of the second half. Fortunately, after scoring the second goal, the dynamics of the game shifted in their favor.

In the match, Drake Callender played a crucial role in preserving Miami’s lead during the second half by making some important saves, as Real Salt Lake intensified their pressure on the home team.

Martino’s chosen starting lineup consisted of Messi, Suarez, Taylor, Gomez, Busquets, Julian Gressel, Alba, Sergiy Kryvtsov, Tomas Aviles, DeAndre Yedlin, and Drake Callender.

Noah Allen, Jean Mota, and David Ruiz were substituted into the match in the 77th minute, taking the places of Aviles, Gressel, and Taylor. Busquets left the field in the 84th minute due to ankle discomfort, but Martino reassured that it doesn’t seem serious and they removed him as a precaution. Campana came on for Suarez in the 90th minute.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Apple TV vice president Eddy Cue observed from a suite, eagerly anticipating Messi’s performance after his impactful debut season in the league.

“It’s another year for him and his family to settle in South Florida, build connections with his teammates. He seems very comfortable here, and the team fully supports him. We are thrilled,” Garber expressed. “Let’s not forget that the greatest player in the history of the sport is in Major League Soccer, and that’s a huge deal for us.”

The commissioner emphasized, “There’s more international excitement about Major League Soccer than even domestically.”

Cue expressed his astonishment at how quickly Messi made an impact on MLS and the perception of soccer in the country. “I anticipated he would bring change, but I believed it would require some time,” Cue stated. “He significantly influenced the global and U.S. perspective in a short period. I underestimated his power and influence. If I were to create a movie script, I couldn’t have written it any better than what he has done. It’s truly remarkable to witness.”

The team is traveling to California for a Sunday match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Martino mentioned that he plans to stick with a similar starting lineup for Sunday’s game. He also confirmed that center back Nico Freire, who missed Wednesday’s match due to a knee injury, will be part of the traveling squad. Tickets for the upcoming game are currently the top-selling of the season on StubHub, with resale prices ranging from $250 to $7,820.